Cleat mounted channel holding device

ABSTRACT

A device that can be fixed to a cleat mounted on a boat, dock, deck, pier or wherever a cleat is available. The L hook or J hook of the device is placed in the cleat gap and the channel is placed over the sides and top of the cleat, the wing nut is tightened, fixing the cleat mounted channel and hook holding device to the top of the cleat and the sides of the cleat. The rod holder, lamp holder, umbrella holder is fixed to the cleat mounted channel and holding device and a fishing rod, lamp, umbrella is placed into the rod holder, lamp holder or umbrella holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various means of mounting rod holders, lamps, grills, torches,umbrellas and other devices to a boat or some docks that may be made outof concrete, but in all cases the devices will have to be screwed orbolted to the boat or concrete dock. To screw or a bolt a device to aboat or concrete dock, more holes will have to be drilled therebydamaging or weakening the boat or dock and further acceleratingcorrosion or deterioration of the material that makes up the boat ordock.

There are also clamp on devices but often they too damage a boat or dockand most often there is no place on the boat or concrete dock to clamp,the clamp on to the device.

When using the cleat mounted channel holding device of this invention,the device is clamped to an existing cleat on the boat wherein the cleatis placed on the boat by the manufacturer of the boat and the area wherethe cleat is mounted, is usually reinforced to withstand greater forcessuch as towing or docking a boat with the cleat. The same holds true forconcrete docks.

SUMMARY

It is the object of the present invention to make a satisfactory holdingdevice that can easily be fixed to an existing cleat on a boat or dock.

It is still another object of the present invention to make asatisfactory holding device that could be suitably mounted to a boat ora dock without making any additional screw or bolt holes in the boat ordock.

The features of the present invention can be best understood withfurther objects and advantages by reference to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings whereinlike numerals indicate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the Cleat Mounted Channel Holding Deviceof the first preferred embodiment mounted on a cleat and holding afishing rod.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation view of the Cleat Mounted HoldingDevice.

FIG. 3 is a section elevation view as taken through FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a section plan view as taken through FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a Cleat Mounted Channel and Cleat HookDevice of the second preferred embodiment Mounted on a cleat and holdinga fishing rod.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the device of the second preferredembodiment.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the device.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the device rotated to four positions relativeto the cleat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST AND SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown an elevation view of the cleatmounted channel holding device 1 of the first preferred embodimentholding a fishing rod 4 or some other tool not shown.

The device 1 is shown mounted on a cleat 2 that is mounted on a boat 3.The device 1 could also be mounted on a dock, pier, or deck by designchoice. A fishing rod 4 is shown held in the tube 12 of the device 1.The tube 12 is suitably fixed to the threaded L rod 5 which will be seenmore clearly in FIG 2 and FIG. 3. The threaded L rod 5 is shown held tothe channel 8 by a wing nut 6 located on the third end of the channel 8.The channel 8 has a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourthend which will be seen more clearly on other figures.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown an elevation view of the cleatmounted channel holding device 1 mounted on a cleat 2 which is mountedon a boat 3 or dock or deck.

The tube 12 is shown with a first end and a second end. The first end ofthe tube 12 is open to receive a fishing rod or whatever is to be held.The second end of the tube 12 is shown suitably fixed to the threaded Lrod 5 by welding or other suitable means. The L rod 5 is shown withthreads 11 that suitably mesh with the threads inside of the wing nut 6and the side nut 7.

The wing nut 6 is shown compressed or tightened against the third end ofthe channel 8. The first end of the channel 8 extends over the left endof the cleat 2 and the second end of the channel 8 extends over theright end of the cleat 2. The side nut 7 is shown over the side channelslot 9 formed on the fourth end of the channel 8. A slot bar 33 is shownat the lower end of the side channel slot 9 to strengthen the sidechannel slot area. The fourth end of the channel 8 is shown pressing orthrusting against each cleat stanchion 32 which will prevent the channelfrom rotating if an outward force is applied to the tube 12.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a section elevation of the cleatmounted channel holding device 1 of the first preferred embodiment astaken through FIG. 2.

The tube 12 with a first end and a second end is shown as being hollow.The first end of the L rod 5 is shown suitably fixed to the second endof the tube 12. The L rod 5 is also shown with a slight bend 13 whichmay or may not be used by design choice. The L rod 5 is shown disposedwithin the wing nut 6 and further extends through a top channel slot notseen in this view wherein the L rod 5 bends around the cleat 2 andfurther extends through the side channel slot where the second end ofthe L rod 5 is disposed within the side nut 7.

When the side nut 7 and the wing nut 6 are tightened, the inside of thethird side of the channel 8 and the inside of the fourth side of thechannel 8 are compressed against the cleat 2 thus locking or securingthe cleat mounted channel holding device 1 to the cleat 2 wherein aforce may be placed on the tube 12 in any direction and the cleatmounted channel holding device 1 will not move in any direction.

When the tube 12 is being pulled in an outboard direction 34 such as afish pulling on a fishing rod in the tube 12, the greatest moment willbe applied in an outboard direction and the moment or load will beapplied through the tube 12 into the L rod 5 and into the fourth end ofthe channel 8 where it will be taken into the cleat stanchion 32 andthen into boat 3. The slot extension 38 is shown suitably fixed to theend of the channel 8 by welding or other suitable means.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a plan section view of the cleatmounted channel holding device 1.

The channel 8 is shown over the cleat 2. The top channel slot 10 isshown formed in the third end of the channel 8. The L rod 5 is showndisposed within the top channel slot 10. The second end of the L rod 5is shown with the side nut 7 suitably fixed to the L rod 5. The sidechannel slot 9 and the top channel slot 10 are formed in the channel 8to allow the cleat mounted channel and hook holding device 1 to besuitably mounted on various sizes of cleats 2. The slots are also formedin the channel 8 to allow for easy installation and removal on the cleat2. The slot extension 38 is shown suitably fixed to the fifth end of thechannel 8 by welding or other suitable means. The slot extension 38strengthens the channel 8 and further allows more motion of the L rod 5while installing the device 1 or removing the device 1 from the cleat 2.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown an elevation view of the channel andhook cleat mounting device 14 of the second preferred embodiment holdinga fishing rod 15; however, it could also be used to hold other tools.

The channel and hook cleat mounting device 14 is shown supporting afishing rod 15 in an elongated tube 16. The elongated tube 16 issuitably connected to a swivel angle 17 by pins not shown in this view.The swivel angle 17 is held to the mounting channel 18 by the first endof the J hook 19 and the wing nut 20. The J hook 19 is shown hooked tothe cleat 21 which will be shown more clearly in other details.

The cleat 21 is shown mounted on a boat 30 or a dock or a pier or a deckby circumstances or choice. The cleat 21 is considered a standard cleatand the channel and hook cleat mounting device will fit any size cleatavailable for boats, docks, piers and decks. If a large commercial cleatis available, a larger version of the channel and hook cleat mountingdevice may be required.

Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown an enlarged frontal elevation view ofthe channel and hook cleat mounting device 14 of the second preferredembodiment.

The elongated tube 16 is shown with a first end and a second end. Thesecond end of the elongated tube 16 has a pivot slot 24 formed aroundthe upper end of the swivel angle 17. The pivot slot 24 is greater inlength than the swivel angle 17 to allow the elongated tube 16 to berotated around the upper end of the swivel angle 17, as will be apparentin FIG. 7.

The enlarged tube 16 rotates about the pivot pin 22 that is insertedinto the side holes 27 formed in the elongated tube 16 and the pivothole 31 formed in the first end of the swivel angle 17 and the elongatedtube 16 is held in the desired angle with the adjustment pin 23 whichwill also be more clearly demonstrated in FIG. 7. The adjustment pin 23is also shown in one of the arc holes 28 formed in the swivel angle 17and the adjustment holes 37 formed in the elongated tube 16.

The grasp bar 25 is shown fixed to the first end of the J hook 19 andthe threads 26 are also shown near the first end of the J hook 19. Thewing nut 20 is shown suitably fastened near the first end of the J hook19. The threads formed on the inside of the wing nut 20 mesh with thethreads 26 on the J hook 19. The J hook 19 is further disposed throughthe wing nut 20, through the swivel hole 36 formed in the swivel angleand the channel hole 35 at the first end of the mounting channel 18. TheJ hook 19 is also hooked around the cleat 21 which is mounted on theboat 30.

Referring to FIG. 7 there is shown an elevation view of the channel andhook cleat mounting device 14.

The elongated tube 16 is shown in at least three positions and could berotated in an arc from vertical to horizontal or greater if desired. Torotate the elongated tube 16 the adjustment pin 23 is removed, and theelongated tube 16 is rotated to the desired angle about the pivot pin 22and the adjustment pin 23 is reinserted through the side holes 27 formednear the second end of the elongated tube 16 and further the adjustmentpin 23 is also inserted into one of the desired arc holes 28 formed indesired locations in the first end of the swivel angle 17. The arc holes28 are located in various positions by design choice and more arc holes28 could be added or removed if desired.

The J hook 19 is shown hooked around the cleat 21 at the second end ofthe J hook 19. The first end of the J hook 19 is disposed through thechannel hole 35 formed in the second end of the mounting channel 18 andthe swivel hole 36 formed in the swivel angle 17 where the wing nut 20is suitably disposed and tightened to the threads 26 formed on the firstend of the J hook 19. The grasp bar 25 is shown suitably fixed to thefirst end of the J hook 19 wherein in this figure the grasp bar 25 isparallel to the second end of the J hook to enable one that is applyingthe J hook 19 to the cleat 21 to know the direction of the second end ofthe J hook and to suitably hold the J hook while the wing nut 20 isbeing tightened on the threads near the first end of the J hook 19.

When the wing nut 20 is suitably tightened, the J hook will be pullingup on the cleat 21 and the wing nut will be pushing down on the swivelangle 17 and the mounting channel 18 further thrusting the mountingchannel into the boat 30, dock or pier depending on what the cleat 21 ismounted on, thus locking the channel and hook cleat mounting device tothe cleat 21.

The mounting channel 18 has a bearing flange 29 on each side to preventthe mounting channel 18 from damaging the surface of the boat 30, dockor pier. The bearing flange 29 is shown as part of the mounting channelbut it could also be made out of rubber, plastic or a different materialby design choice.

Referring to FIG. 8 there is shown a plan view of the channel and hookcleat mounting device 14.

The elongated tube 16 is shown in four various locations; the number oflocations could be infinite as the swivel angle 17 can be rotated 360°relative to the mounting channel 18 or the cleat 21 or the grasp bar 25.

To rotate the elongated tube 16 mounted on the swivel angle 17, the wingnut 20 is loosened on the J hook 19, the swivel angle 17 is rotated tothe desired angle relative to the mounting channel 18 and the cleat 21and then the wing nut 20 is tightened securing the swivel angle 17.Although it is not shown in FIG 8, the elongated tube 16 can be rotatedfrom the vertical position or any position to a horizontal position orany position in-between. The bearing flange 29 shown on each side of themounting channel 18 are pressing into the boat or dock or deck.

Although the system described in detail supra has been found to be mostsatisfactory and preferred many variations are possible. For example, anangle adjustment device could be added to the L rod wherein the tubecould be adjusted to almost any angle from vertical to horizontal or thetube could be rotated horizontally in any direction.

Although the invention has been described reference to the preferredembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatadditions, modifications, substitutions, deletions and other changes notspecifically described, may be made in the embodiments herein, it shouldbe understood that the details herein are to be interpreted asillustrative and are not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:
 1. A cleat mounted channel holdingdevice for holding a fishing rod or other tools wherein said cleatmounted channel holding device is mounted on a cleat that is mounted ona boat, a dock, a pier or a deck, comprised of;at least one tube with afirst end and a second end; at least one L rod with a first end and asecond end wherein said first end of said L rod is fixed to said secondend of said tube; and wherein said L rod has threads formed on theoutside surface of said L rod and said L rod is bent to form an L; atleast one wing nut wherein said wing nut has a hole with threads formedin said wing nut and said wing nut is disposed around said L rod andsaid threads of said wing nut mesh with said threads formed on said Lrod; at least one channel with a first end, a second end a third end, afourth end and a fifth end wherein a top channel slot is formed in saidthird end of said channel and a side channel slot is formed in saidfourth end of said channel; at least one side nut wherein said nut has ahole formed in said channel side nut with threads formed in said holeand said threads mesh with said threads of said L rod wherein said L rodis disposed in said wing nut in said top channel slot around said cleatand said L rod is further disposed in said side channel slot and saidside nut wherein said side nut is tightened in said fourth side of saidchannel, and said wing nut is tightened in said third side of saidchannel wherein said channel and said L rod are compressed around saidcleat thereby locking said cleat mounted channel holding device to saidcleat and further supporting said tube fixed to said first end of said Lrod providing a holding device wherein a fishing rod or other tool isinserted into said tube and supported by said tube.
 2. The cleat mountedchannel holding device of claim 1 wherein said tube, said L rod, saidwing nut, said channel and said side nut are made out of metal.
 3. Thecleat mounted channel holding device of claim 1 wherein said tube, saidL rod, said wing nut, said channel and said side nut are made out ofplastic.
 4. The cleat mounted channel holding device of claim 1 whereinto remove said cleat mounted channel holding device, said wing nut isloosened, said side nut is removed and said L bar is pulled away fromsaid cleat.
 5. A channel and hook cleat mounting device for holding afishing rod or other tools wherein said channel and hook cleat mountingdevice is mounted on a cleat that is further mounted on a boat, a dock apier or a deck comprised of;at least one elongated tube wherein saidelongated tube has a first end and a second end; at least one swivelangle wherein said swivel angle has a first end and a second end, athird end and a fourth end; and wherein a swivel hole is formed nearsaid second end of said swivel angle and wherein said first end of saidswivel angle is rotatably fixed to said second end of said elongatedtube; at least one J hook with a first end and a second end whereinthreads are formed on said first end of said J hook and said second endof said J hook is formed into a hook wherein said hook will hook aroundsaid cleat; a wing nut with a hole and threads formed in said holeformed in said wing nut wherein said wing nut is disposed around saidthreaded first end of said J hook and wherein said threads formed insaid wing nut will mesh with said threads formed on said first end ofsaid J hook; at least one mounting channel wherein said mounting channelhas a first end and a second end a third end and a fourth end wherein achannel hole is formed in said second end of said mounting channelwherein said first end of said J hook is disposed in said channel holeand wherein said first end of said J hook is-further disposed in saidpivot hole formed in said second end of said swivel angle and wherein asaid second end of said J hook is further disposed in said wing nutwherein said threads formed in said hole of said wing nut mesh with saidthreads formed on said first end of said J hook and wherein said secondend of said J hook is hooked around said cleat and wherein said wing nutis turned and tightened in said first end of said J hook, thrusting downon said swivel angle and further thrusting down on said second end ofsaid mounting channel and further forcing said first and third end ofsaid channel to thrust into said boat and further causing said secondend of said J hook to pull up on said cleat thus locking said channeland hook cleat mounting device to said cleat and to said boat furtherlocking said swivel angle and said elongated tube to said boat, dock, orpier to be used as a holding device for a fishing rod or the like. 6.The channel and hook cleat mounting device of claim 5 wherein saidmounting channel has at least one bearing flange on said first end andsaid third end wherein said bearing flange will prevent damage to saidboat, dock or pier.
 7. The channel and hook cleat mounting device ofclaim 5 wherein a grasp bar is fixed to said first end of said J hookwherein said grasp bar may be gripped by fingers and or the thumbthereby allowing said J bar to be held and rotated without slippingwhile indicating the direction of said J hook.
 8. The channel and hookcleat mounting device of claim 5 wherein said swivel angle further hasat least one arc hole formed in said first end of said swivel angle andsaid swivel angle has at least one pivot hole formed in said first endof said swivel angle and wherein at least two adjustment holes areformed in said second end of said elongated tube and at least two sideholes are formed in said second end of said swivel angle wherein a pivotpin is disposed into said side holes and said pivot holes therebyallowing said elongated tube to rotate about said pivot pin and whereinan adjustment pin is further disposed into said adjustment holes formedin said second end of said elongated tube and into said pivot holeformed in said first end of said swivel angle thereby locking saidelongated tube to said swivel angle at whatever angle one would desireto place said elongated tube relative to said boat, dock or pier.